It's no secret as I've spoken many times about the difficulties I have faced whilst being at university regarding mental health. For all those lovely freshers out there, you have no idea what is ahead! It is extremely common for students to struggle with mental health issues and I am not surprised! Moving away from home, combined with all the added stress of studying + trying to make friends is extremely overwhelming! Noticing the signs that you have a problem before it escalates is something to really look out for. I will be going into my third and final year this year and honestly, I didn't really have my shit together till the end of last year. I felt so much more confident once I had set a routine and I want to carry that on to the most important year of all. So here are some of my tips I've found to work if I get into a rut.
Exercise
Probably the most important tip of all, it creates chemicals in your brain that make you happy! It's also a great distraction. I found that Yoga really worked for me, I bought myself a yoga mat and just started doing some routines in my room. It can be quite private so no-one can judge you if you're worried about that! Some gyms do yoga classes. But the exercise combined with the meditation aspect of yoga was very calming and great for anxiety! Youtube has tons of videos and personalities just waiting to teach you yoga - this was so helpful for me!
Routine & Sleeping Pattern
Creating yourself a routine is one of the best things I did. On days when you aren't at university fill your days with productive activities, go for a walk, read a book. Make sure you wake up at a reasonable time, but use this time to look after yourself! Shower's are always a great start in the morning. Sitting in bed all day, in your jammies, watching Netflix may seem like a good idea at the time, but once it becomes everyday, it will have an effect on your mood and your outlook. Step away from your phone screen at night and read a book instead! (Also I did not realize drinking tea is caffeine before bed! Which I changed to a hot chocolate instead!)
Support + Friends
Seeking support if you feel low is something I would 100% recommend. I saw a mental health helper lady and although she wasn't as helpful as I liked at the time, it is really up to you to pull yourself together and it is not a quick fix. She recommended exercise and drinking more water, although I thought it wasn't useful at the time, they are now some of my most used tips! Seeking support is a great step to noticing you have a problem. People will want to help you! Often speaking to friends or housemates will help you get out more once people are more understanding of how you're feeling.
And that's pretty much it. I also found that having a regular sleeping pattern and writing my thoughts down in a private blog, or notebook really helped. It seems really simple, but I know at the time any of these things can be really difficult to achieve. Setting yourself small goals and accomplishing them also helps you feel like you have achieved something! Even if it's getting out the house or finally putting some makeup on, or getting on a public bus. Set yourself small goals and it will get easier.
I hope this helps, it is not all doom and gloom however, university is one of the best experiences in my life! + I have met some amazing people.
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